WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday August 5, 3.15pm
LAST TIME: Carlton 15.10 (100) d Sydney Swans 10.6 (66), round 13, 2011, at Etihad Stadium
TV and RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
MATCH DAY INFORMATION: Click here for Sunday's Match Day Information

The ladder-leading Sydney Swans fly to Melbourne to take on 11th-placed Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but the match could be closer than their respective positions suggest.

The Blues are riding high after a last-gasp win against Richmond that kept their finals hopes alive and they're also starting to get a bit of relief on the injury front.

The Swans also have winning form, but have injury concerns over some key players.

THE FOUR POINTS

SYDNEY SWANS

1. The Swans have been tested by injuries during the season, losing Adam Goodes, Mumford, Luke Parker and Lewis Roberts-Thomson at various times. Now they have lost Sam Reid (knee) for at least two games. But coach John Longmire is confident his forward line will continue to function. Roberts-Thomson kicked a career-best four goals last week.

2. In keeping with a season that somehow still feels under the radar despite sitting one game clear atop the ladder, the Swans notched up a quiet milestone on the Gold Coast. An eighth straight win equalled the best run since the club moved to Sydney 30 years ago. A ninth consecutive victory this week would tie marks set by South Melbourne in 1926 and 1934, while the club's all-time mark is 12, set three times between 1918-1935.

3. These teams met twice last year, with the Blues prevailing on both occasions as the 2011 Swans regularly failed to beat teams in and around the top four. But this year's version seems to be made of sterner stuff and the Swans have split their two trips to Etihad Stadium this season. They have a solid record at Etihad, unlike at the MCG, winning five of their past eight games there.

4. Lewis Jetta, the Swans' leading goal scorer with 38, has managed just one in each of his past two games. But he has kicked six in his two matches under the roof at Etihad this year. His efforts to shine on a stage also featuring fellow speedsters Chris Yarran and Garlett will be intriguing.

CARLTON

1. The Blues have improved their ability to win contested possessions despite the absence of Chris Judd in their past two games and they'll need to bring the same sort of intensity against the Swans if they are to cause an upset. The Swans are second only to Adelaide in the key contested possession category, while Carlton is ranked eighth.

2. Combative midfielder Mitch Robinson is a good chance to return to the Carlton line-up this weekend after missing two games with a calf strain, while Jarrad Waite played his first game after a long-term back injury in the VFL last week. The Blues would dearly love to get him back in its forward mix, but he might need one more game with the Northern Blues to top up his match fitness.

3. Despite kicking a winning score two weeks running, Carlton's forward line is still dangerously dependent on Eddie Betts. Andrew Walker's calf injury compounded the issues brought on by the longer-term absences of taller options Shaun Hampson and Jarrad Waite leaving Betts to carry the load. Betts has done his part with 40 goals - his nearest teammate is Jeff Garlett with 19, but he'll need more help against the Swans.

4. Matthew Kreuzer looms as a key player, having regained a bit of touch against the Tigers. The athletic ruckman had 45 hit-outs against Richmond and his battle with Shane Mumford, if he's passed fit from a knee injury, will be one to savour. Even if Mumford doesn't get up, Mike Pyke was more than serviceable in the lead role with 47 hit-outs in last week's win against Gold Coast.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs